This Covid-19 shortened race season at Elko Speedway, which started the second week of August, has been a pleasant surprise on many levels. Even with the uncertainty of the economy, car counts have continued to stay strong, the racing has been incredible and race teams have continued to invest time and money into their cars.
It has also been refreshing to see fans show up to watch racing with very little negative feedback and simply just happy to have some LIVE entertainment. I also have noticed many people have taken this opportunity to try racing for the first time. Here is an example of a comment from someone who had never been to a race before; “It was a very fun and welcoming environment, I thought everything ran smoothly when viewed from the outside. The fact that the events are all one right after the other is very customer friendly and it feels very family oriented on the whole, even down to the people in the concession stands, they are friendly and upbeat.” That does not sound like a sad or depressed individual, it sounds like they actually went out and enjoyed themselves at the race track!
I think the Covid-19 situation might be a blessing for the race community, because of our limited entertainment options, Saturday nights at the track have become a can’t miss again for many people. It sparked an excitement even for some kids who have finally gotten bored of their video games and think this racing thing is kinda cool. Auto racing has gotten some attention from the local media recently too with both KSTP and WCCO TV doing segments on young William Sawalich after his first career win in the Great North Legends division. KSTP TV also did a nice piece on the father/daughter race team with Conrad and Julie Jorgenson. Conrad has threatened to retire for years now and there might finally be an actual succession plan in place. Julie is getting closer to her goal of winning a Power Stock Championship and she plans on trying out some races in the Thunder Car next year, also Conrad’s son is ready to try his hand at racing a Power Stock so Conrad might be a full-time crew chief soon.
Now that we are getting down to the end of the season at ELKO we can finally also look at the National point standings. Jacob Goede, Nick Murgic and Billy Mohn all were in the Top 10 in the National Division I NASCAR Advance Auto Parts standings. Joe Prusak and Nick Oxborough are both in the Top 10 in the NASCAR Division II standings, the points are extended this year much later than usual, so drivers can race for NASCAR points all the way through the Oktoberfest weekend which will make things quite interesting in LaCrosse.
Two ELKO drivers are leading INEX National points as Tim Brockhouse is number one in the Asphalt Masters division and Austin Jahr is leading the Semi-Pro Asphalt division. William Sawalich is in the Top 10 in the Asphalt Young Lions division for Legends cars and in the Bandoleros Alex Hartwig is second in the Outlaws East division and Ayrton Brockhouse is second in the Bandits East division. The Great North Legends drivers are well respected all over the Nation and the caliber of cars up here is unquestionably great.
Championship night at ELKO is coming into focus with Jacob Goede looking for his 7th straight Championship in the Premier division, Chad Walen has been his closest competitor in the points the entire season. Bryce Blohm is looking to match his father by winning his second Championship in the Thunder Cars but Conrad Jorgenson not far behind in points. Nick Oxborough is looking for his third Championship, he is leading Julie Jorgenson for the Power Stock title. Tim Brockhouse decided to race full-time at ELKO this year and he has gathered in the most wins and leads in points over Baiden Heskett, Ayrton Brockhouse is leading Josiah Kottschade in the Bando points with Alex Hartwig missing some race nights by virtue of racing in Wisconsin.
The Drama might be in the WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds with Bryan Syer-Keske and Eric Campbell going down to the final race to decide the inaugural ELKO Championship in that division.
No matter how it all shakes out I would say the Elko Speedway race season was the bright spot of 2020, even though it was short, it has left us race fans optimistic, the medicine many of us really needed.
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